https://www.billjamesonline.com/the_aesthetic_issues/

I'm mixed on the idea of limiting throws to first base. It can put the pitcher at a disadvantage if the runner can force them to throw to first and then know that the pitcher can't throw to first anymore. Also, if the batter knows that the pitcher isn't going to throw to first and if the baserunner has the advantage the pitcher is now going to throw a fastball so the catcher has a chance to throw out the runner.

I think it's pretty simple. They need to have a pitcher clock and stop giving hitters so much time. Theo Epstein talked about a way for the catcher and pitcher to signal each other thru electronics so they can not only stop stealing signs, but make it quicker for the pitcher and catcher to decide what is going to be thrown.

The rest is about getting the junk off the baseball to keep the spin rates down. Get rid of the shifts and keep the infielders on the dirt. They may have to move the mound back although they need to consider how that works with the bases.

Agree with the above. They give the hitters (and maybe pitchers) too much time. I was watching a You Tube of the '68 Tigers/Cards WS recently and was sort of "wowed" by the pace of the game.

The time between pitches/amount of time a battery takes between then is not what's contributing to Pace of play, and restrictions on them will do nothing.

Difference between 1968 and now is a significant drop in balls in play (73% vs 64%).

If you want Pace of play to improve, gotta put the ball in the field

Some good ideas from Bill in that piece. I like this one best:

Somehow we have lost track of the fact that the MOST basic nature of sports is forcing the other team to react when they are NOT prepared to react, when they have NOT cinched up their batting gloves nice and tight and got into just the right position in the batter’s box and cleared their mind and thought through what the pitcher is likely to throw.

My first suggestions, then, are (1) prohibit players from stepping out of the batter’s box after the at bat has begun, or (2) limit the number of times that a batter can step out of the batter’s box after stepping in to the batter’s box to, let’s say, one per team per inning.

Actually, no rule change is necessary here; all that is really necessary is an umpiring policy change. When the batter steps out of the batter’s box, he has to ask for time. If the umpire doesn’t grant the time out, then the pitch is legal. You don’t actually have to change the rules; all you actually have to do is stop calling timeout, unless there is an actual reason to call timeout.

Somehow we have lost track of the fact that the MOST basic nature of sports is forcing the other team to react when they are NOT prepared to react, when they have NOT cinched up their batting gloves nice and tight and got into just the right position in the batter’s box and cleared their mind and thought through what the pitcher is likely to throw.

That may be the basic nature of football or basketball, but not baseball (in fact, not a lot of competitive sport). The battle between hitter and pitcher isn't who can react fastest. (In this scenario, the advantage goes completely to the pitcher who would then control every aspect of the at-bat, which would make the problems of poor hitting multiply even more.) The battle is a chess match, it's the pitcher who can throw one of a number of pitches, at a varying number of speeds and locations vs the hitter who's job is to figure it out. You can't rush that. You can't put a timer on it. You can't change the balance of power that allows the hitter to step up and mess up the timing/routine of the pitcher.

The batter's approach would change if he knew the ump wouldn't keep giving him timeouts for no particular reason. There's no value to the spectator in seeing the batter waste time and adjust his helmet and tap his shoes with his bat and so forth. Do that before you get in the batter's box. Once you're in the box, let's get on with the at bat.

my timing mechanism requires me to unvelcro and velcro both batting gloves three times every pitch and wiggle my ***

I hate the idea of banning the shift. The defense should be able to play however they want, it’s up to the offense to score. Imagine if they banned the Cover 3 in football because the LOB in Seattle were too dominant to allow scoring, or the 4-6 defense in Chicago. The illegal defense in basketball was insanely dumb with just having a big man run out to half court so Jordan could drive in the paint whenever he wanted. Hate for that to happen in baseball. It only encourages bigger swings and more strikeouts if there’s less defenders pull side.

I'm with you, d_rock. Defense has made adjustments, now it's time for offense to make a countermove, not whine until they change the rules. Learn how to "hit it where they ain't". Drop a bunt down the opposite line. Do this enough, and they'll choose to open up your preferred side of the field again. Yes, it's hard, but this is professional ball. Players who can adjust will thrive, and one-dimensional players will fade away.

Posted by bagchucker on 5/29/2021 12:36:00 AM (view original):
my timing mechanism requires me to unvelcro and velcro both batting gloves three times every pitch and wiggle my ***

Fair enough on the batting gloves. But c'mon, when Jim Leyitz used to wiggle his *** before batting it was somehow comforting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHKHyFFcMCo

were that link clickable i wouldna

due to your intro!

heh

Posted by chargingryno on 5/28/2021 7:12:00 PM (view original):
The time between pitches/amount of time a battery takes between then is not what's contributing to Pace of play, and restrictions on them will do nothing.

Difference between 1968 and now is a significant drop in balls in play (73% vs 64%).

If you want Pace of play to improve, gotta put the ball in the field

Never looked at it this way, but the drop in BIP makes sense